Michael John Neill's genealogy website. Things that cross my path, general research suggestions, and whatever else ...with a little bit of attitude. I don't post "news" just to post it, never post a press release (edited or otherwise), don't feign excitement, and pretty much say what I think.

12 March 2007

Making Certain you have the "right" Guy

Tracking ancestors across state lines can be difficult, especially so when they have left few records and the searching is done before the everyname censuses begin in 1850. Some time ago we posted an article on my search for Levi Rhodes across Missouri and back into Tennessee. The discussion is still relevant today.

Here are a few reminders from our searches for Levi in Tennessee:

Don't just grab the first name that matches. Check all possible reasonable matches in the area and eliminate them systematically.

Make logical connections.

Fit as many pieces together as possible. Realize that some pieces may not fit, but make note of the fact that they do not fit.

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Seminars

I present day-long seminars on a wide variety of genealogical topics across the United States. Email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com with date/location of your event and I'll be in touch with lecture topics and other details.